678 réponses à ce sujet

[Dewart]

I love Mass Effect and Bioware I am glad they are here to provide me with fantastic video game entertainment.

The action figures are cool I havn't been an action figure fan since my early teens but I respect the fact that they are there and the option to buy them.

Things get a little bit iffy when Multiplayer DLC is bundled with the action figures and here is why.

If the DLC is just early access to multiplayer equipment that you can acquire just by putting time in then that's cool by me.
If the DLC is access to multiplayer equipment that will be available later for purchase through EA or xbox live or whatever then that's cool by me.
If however the DLC is access to multiplayer equipment that can only be obtained by buying the action figures then that's not so cool by me. I will then have no way of getting those items because I won't be buying the toys.

Now I really am not the type of person to complain and unlike a few people who also don't like this idea I do not feel as though I am "forced" to buy the action figures. My concern is more that I am looking forward to the multiplayer experience. If one in every five people I play the game with has this exclusive material, that I won't get simply because I don't collect figures, that will be a little bit annoying. It won't necessarily ruin the game for me but it will maybe take my play experience from fantastic and downgrade it to just good for dealing with that annoyance. I obviously want Fantastic and I feel I'll get that with the single player at least.

I recognize the marketing genius behind this. I recognize that it is a great thing if you do collect action figures in that case it's a bonus. If the material is not available to those of us who are purely game collectors then really Bioware/EA is sort of taking something away from us.

I'll gladly pay for the the DLC content in question (heck I preordered the collector edition) I just hope I am given the option to do so.

Modifié par Dewart, 24 janvier 2012 - 07:26 .

[MadLaughter]

Generalizing our arguments to sound like those of a child. Thanks for the respect.

[AlanC9]

MadLaughter wrote...

Generalizing our arguments to sound like those of a child. Thanks for the respect.

Who was that directed at? And how were your arguments distorted by this evil person?

[InfoGuy101]

Well if people are upset with this then just don't buy the figurines or encourage your friends or fellow fans not to. Bioware won't do it in future as result if sales are low but they have a right to promote there product how they want to even if it is a bit of round about way for some fans.

Me myself I'd rather have access to DLC via purchasing it off a digital platform of my choice than buying a product I'm not interested in but such is life hey.  

[Stanley Woo]

MadLaughter wrote...

The 'you can complete the whole game without it if you choose' argument doesn't work either. We could complete ME3 if you only gave us 3 characters with one gun each and no powers, in theory. Someone could complete a fighting game even if it only shipped with one character. You can complete Resident Evil games with pretty much just the knife. That doesn't mean people should just suck it up, Stanley.'

Actually, that's exactly what it means. Assuming a game was made in which there were only three character choices and one gun and no powers, your choice as a consumer would remain exactly the same: to buy it or not buy it. No "sucking it up" required, just the willingness to say no and go without a game that you potentially want and would purchase if your criteria for buying were met.

If a Resident Evil game only provided a knife, then we would soon see whether people thought that was a good design choice or not. If people still bought the game in droves because they loved the Resident Evil franchise, and if it was a good game anyway, then yeah, maybe it was a good design choice. If people bought it and hated it because they really want the same choice in weapons as in previous Resident Evil games, then maybe the developer would think twice about doing the same thing in future products. But none of that removes your right to choose to buy it or not. If you don't wish to buy it, then you have actively chosen to not suck it up. If you choose to buy it, you are, in effect, "sucking it up." But again, you make the choice after the game is complete and is made available for sale, not before development is over and we consult with each gamer to see if they like it.

You can call ANYTHING 'Extra'. You could take thane, grunt, jack, samara and tali out of ME2 and call them extra. You could take all of the good endings out of the game and call them extra. You could take character customization out and call it extra.

Absolutely, we could do pretty much anything we wanted. We could have a blank screen and call graphics "extra." But we don't. We have a very specific product for sale and we think it's pretty awesome. Now, of course, whether you accept that or not is your own business. And whether you choose to purchase it or not is your business. We would like you to, but ultimately, and I can't stress this enough, the choice is yours/

And people DO have issues with DLC and Expansions. Has a game ever sold an equal number of expansions as it's base game? Never. "We sold 5 million copies of our game, and five million copies of Expansion pack A." Never has happened.

No, neither DLC nor expansions sell as well as the base game, but that has nothing to do with what we're talking about here.

[JG The Gamer]

As a retail worker, I deal with this all the time. The customer has the power of choice whether or not to purchase groceries like milk, meat, etc. If there's something that they're simply not buying, it forces the company in question to re-evaluate whether or not this product is worth selling. We may continue to sell at lower quantities/prices, or pull the item because it won't sell at all. If people buy in droves, we can either bring in more product to sell, or raise the price to slow down demand. Regardless, we have to adjust based on the choices the consumer is making. That's how companies stay in business.

The power simply comes from consumer choice above all else. At my store, I see the power of choice everyday. Do not like? Do not buy. Do like? Do buy. Simple as that.

If you feel so strongly about DLC attached to toys and that it's a good/bad thing, the best thing you can do as your right as a consumer is to choose whether or not you wish to buy the toy and DLC. If you do, it sends a message to the company that it's a good idea. Otherwise, the company gets the message that it's not a good idea. Whining about it gets you nowhere and makes everyone miserable.

[Stanley Woo]

JG The Gamer wrote...

The power simply comes from consumer choice above all else. At my store, I see the power of choice everyday. Do not like? Do not buy. Do like? Do buy. Simple as that.

If you feel so strongly about DLC attached to toys and that it's a good/bad thing, the best thing you can do as your right as a consumer is to choose whether or not you wish to buy the toy and DLC. If you do, it sends a message to the company that it's a good idea. Otherwise, the company gets the message that it's not a good idea. Whining about it gets you nowhere and makes everyone miserable.

To paraphrase a quote: "I like this Gamer. He understands." It really is that simple, and I wish people would stop trying to complicate the issue with extreme hypothetical cases and what-ifs.

[Pee Jae]

The only thing that bothers me about this is... I still can't see Tali's face.

But, seriously, I'd buy them if I had the cash, dlc or not. They're pretty sweet.

[CubbieBlue66]

Mr. Woo, do you happen to know whether the marketing team has considered a "season pass" type of offer, similar to those seen in the Gears of War and Call of Duty series?

Given the quality of the Mass Effect franchise to this point, I'd gladly pay (essentially pre-pay) $30 or so for an all-inclusive downloadable content pack.

[CannonO]

Stanley Woo wrote...

CannonLars wrote...

 Mr. Woo.
Does this mean you are taking some of the legitimate concerns into account and passing them on to others who might improve the situation, or will they remain here on the boards and statistics, without consideration of customer's expressions, will be the factor used to decide that the business model is good? 

As much as we listen to our fans' concerns, questions, and suggestions, we will not necessarily agree with all of them all the time. We have so many fans, each with different likes and dislikes, tolerances, preferences, biases and experiences, it would be impossible to cater to even a small percentage of them without running into contradictory desires and suggestions.

Remember, if you are making a suggestion, you are accepting that our response could be "no." If you are unwilling or unable to accept a "no" answer, or accept that we may disagree with you, then you are no longer making a suggestion; you are making a demand. And we deal with community "demands" differently than we deal with concerns, suggestions, and constructive criticisms.

I think it is clear that in general, we like DLC. It has also been expressed that the biggest concern is that many of us will never get access to this content or even an option to. The exclusive deals with no information as to whether we will ever have access to other exclusive content is what is bugging many of us.

I see nothing at all wrong with consumers exercising their right to choose and risking disappointment. People have every right to state a preference and ask for consideration, but they do not have the right to never be disappointed.

As someone who loves Mass Effect and has since long before the first game even released, I am not happy with the system of DLC releases, despite appreciating the content itself. I want content, but I don't appreciate being shown lots of exclusives that many of us can not reasonably obtain (like hoping to get all the DLC from the figures). You don't sound like you are considering the fact that we, as fans who do want content, do not have any options of getting the content besides these many exclusive routes. It would be no problem if we knew that in the coming months it would be made available for purchase (as Rockstar Games does, who, frankly gets way less complaints from what I have seen).

It always comes down to the value you place on the DLC content. How much is it worth to you, and are you willing to purchase what is being offered? If you feel the DLC is so important that you must have it, then you may choose to buy the figure you may not necessarily want in order to get that DLC. On the other hand, if you don't feel that DLC is worth the price of the figures and all the trouble you go through to get them, then you may choose to not buy the figures. At this point, such DLC is, as far as I know, exclusive to the figures. Whether the DLC will be made available for sale after the fact, I can not say. But that is the choice before you at this time.

Trying to persuade us with "But I really waaaaaaaant it!" type arguments is not very productive, since the steps to get the DLC have been clearly laid out and the offer is on the table. Your choice is, as always, perfectly clear and entirely up to the individual and the value they place on the DLC.

Thank you for the message, though, and I am glad that you love the Mass Effect franchise that much! I hope you will love Mass Effect 3 as much or even more than our previous games. It's looking incredible!

I appreciate the response and you not getting too snappy with me, as I am aware that I am a stubborn consumer!

I must mention, this isn't meant to be an "I really want it" argument. It is more of an, "I'm betting there's way more people who want to buy DLC than there are who want to buy figures, making this an unfortunate matchup for most of us." You know, business sense. That suits many of our interests. 

And I get that the answer to our suggestion of offering the DLC standalone for purchase down the line may be "no", I just want that "no" to consider how well-received such practices are, the interest and perspective of the fans, and the likelihood that the DLC would generate far more in sales if offered outside of the current abundance of different ME3 deals, from the free retailer exclusives to the figurines. Rather than one free DLC exclusive for each figurine and game purchaser, you all could have those transactions, plus thousands more outside of the figurine promotion down the line if the content and the other exclusive content that consumers miss out on is available for purchase at a price comparable to previous DLCs of that nature.

This issue right now all comes down to a concern for if the content will ever be offered at comparable values to its predecessor, or if these exclusive deals really lock us out for good in the event that multiple ME3 copies and figurines are not a value that suits our vision of the DLC values as we judge them. We'd love to have the content, but this offering system may leave many of us out due to its differences from common DLC practices and our own needs.

And I, too, hope I enjoy ME3. I remember telling everyone in school about ME1 when the early demo footage came out. It was beyond my expectations and I still consider it the most significant game of my life. ME2 lithos hang on my walls, and I'm not even one to collect or buy game merchandise.

Thanks;)

[MadLaughter]

The way the market works, every decision made is made months, if not years in advance. You don't have to tell me "Hey don't buy it if you don't want it." I've already pretty much made that decision, and I'm only saying pretty much because Bioware hasn't given their customers any significant information about this offer. I am making my issues heard now because maybe next the Bioware team has a meeting with, say, Oakley: to brainstorm a plan where if customers buy their sunglasses then they will get exclusive free DLC for Mass Effect. If enough people make their voices heard now, that deal might not go through and it will have saved both sides from wasting their time. The alternative is, 8 months down the road, someone getting a spreadsheet and a few graphs and saying "well, sales didn't work out. I guess people didn't want those figures." By then, who knows how many promotions of that type will have been put into irreversible motion.

"If you don't like it, don't buy it." The people in charge won't see the results of this for many months down the road.

"If you don't like it, make your voice heard and hope they don't marginalize you with the same old excuses." This is immediate feedback. It's up to them to do with it what they will.

[Dewart]

MadLaughter wrote...

The way the market works, every decision made is made months, if not years in advance. You don't have to tell me "Hey don't buy it if you don't want it." I've already pretty much made that decision, and I'm only saying pretty much because Bioware hasn't given their customers any significant information about this offer. I am making my issues heard now because maybe next the Bioware team has a meeting with, say, Oakley: to brainstorm a plan where if customers buy their sunglasses then they will get exclusive free DLC for Mass Effect. If enough people make their voices heard now, that deal might not go through and it will have saved both sides from wasting their time. The alternative is, 8 months down the road, someone getting a spreadsheet and a few graphs and saying "well, sales didn't work out. I guess people didn't want those figures." By then, who knows how many promotions of that type will have been put into irreversible motion.

"If you don't like it, don't buy it." The people in charge won't see the results of this for many months down the road.

"If you don't like it, make your voice heard and hope they don't marginalize you with the same old excuses." This is immediate feedback. It's up to them to do with it what they will.

I wish it would work this way

There enough people that have more money than brains that will feel forced to buy the figures. As a result I think the people in charge have made the right choice as far as making a heap of cash goes.

For those of us that won't be buying the action figures I think the best option we have is to make our voice heard. If there are enough of us then those in charge may also see it being profitable to release a DLC pack later on.

For the DLC in question as a company they have an option of getting none of my money or some of my money.

[Stanley Woo]

CubbieBlue66 wrote...

Mr. Woo, do you happen to know whether the marketing team has considered a "season pass" type of offer, similar to those seen in the Gears of War and Call of Duty series?

Given the quality of the Mass Effect franchise to this point, I'd gladly pay (essentially pre-pay) $30 or so for an all-inclusive downloadable content pack.

I actually rather like that kind of an idea. Feel free to discuss that and offer it as a suggestion in these discussion threads.

[Sanguinerin]

All I can really say is here's hoping that whatever offers come with the figures eventually are obtainable in another way. I don't mind when I have the option to get something for free if I pre-order, but don't, but can purchase it later. (Things like Warden's Keep for DAO, or Sebastian's content for DAII, etc.)

I already hate that different shops have different bonuses. To get two items I might really find neat, I would have to buy two copies of the same thing from different places. (I haven't actually done that, but man do I wish I had that kind of money to do so!) If four of the figures all gave you a gun but later on down the road you could purchase a weapons pack including all four of those guns, that would be fine by me.

I don't really have a problem with, "buy this action figure, get X for free!" The problem is that it's not that I wouldn't buy the figures to both have the figure and enjoy the little extra content. It's that making extra purchases just isn't possible for me at the moment.

So like I said in the beginning, here's hoping whatever content is available with these figures is bundled up for sale (or even individual sale, depending on what it actually is) later on.

[StephanieBengal]

I have no interest in action figures for DLC, so if I miss out. No biggie.

Sell some Mass Effect stuff animals or dolls (one of Garrus) then this girl will buy one.

[CannonO]

Stanley Woo wrote...

CubbieBlue66 wrote...

Mr. Woo, do you happen to know whether the marketing team has considered a "season pass" type of offer, similar to those seen in the Gears of War and Call of Duty series?

Given the quality of the Mass Effect franchise to this point, I'd gladly pay (essentially pre-pay) $30 or so for an all-inclusive downloadable content pack.

I actually rather like that kind of an idea. Feel free to discuss that and offer it as a suggestion in these discussion threads.

It's fine by me. I can't believe no one mentioned that before with how many companies do those now. CoD, Uncharted, Gears of War, etc. It's worked for those.

[CubbieBlue66]

Stanley Woo wrote...

CubbieBlue66 wrote...

Mr. Woo, do you happen to know whether the marketing team has considered a "season pass" type of offer, similar to those seen in the Gears of War and Call of Duty series?

Given the quality of the Mass Effect franchise to this point, I'd gladly pay (essentially pre-pay) $30 or so for an all-inclusive downloadable content pack.

I actually rather like that kind of an idea. Feel free to discuss that and offer it as a suggestion in these discussion threads.

Will do.

And you can feel free to discuss that with marketing. 

[Whiteshiro]

Stanley Woo wrote...

CubbieBlue66 wrote...

Mr. Woo, do you happen to know whether the marketing team has considered a "season pass" type of offer, similar to those seen in the Gears of War and Call of Duty series?

Given the quality of the Mass Effect franchise to this point, I'd gladly pay (essentially pre-pay) $30 or so for an all-inclusive downloadable content pack.

I actually rather like that kind of an idea. Feel free to discuss that and offer it as a suggestion in these discussion threads.

I like the idea of this also but im not familier with it, can somebody explain it to me precise what it means

[Sanguinerin]

I was about to post that same request, Whiteshiro!

What does a "season pass" type of offer typically entail?

Modifié par HallowedWarden, 24 janvier 2012 - 08:43 .

[Dewart]

HallowedWarden wrote...

All I can really say is here's hoping that whatever offers come with the figures eventually are obtainable in another way. I don't mind when I have the option to get something for free if I pre-order, but don't, but can purchase it later. (Things like Warden's Keep for DAO, or Sebastian's content for DAII, etc.)

I already hate that different shops have different bonuses. To get two items I might really find neat, I would have to buy two copies of the same thing from different places. (I haven't actually done that, but man do I wish I had that kind of money to do so!) If four of the figures all gave you a gun but later on down the road you could purchase a weapons pack including all four of those guns, that would be fine by me.

I don't really have a problem with, "buy this action figure, get X for free!" The problem is that it's not that I wouldn't buy the figures to both have the figure and enjoy the little extra content. It's that making extra purchases just isn't possible for me at the moment.

So like I said in the beginning, here's hoping whatever content is available with these figures is bundled up for sale (or even individual sale, depending on what it actually is) later on.

Totally agree

I am in the same situation where I don't have time to throw money around. I had a hard enough time justifying my CE preorder. If the same action figure dlc was offered later on for download then I would definatly hop on that train.

[Icinix]

If this 'season pass' offered every piece of DLC content for the consumer at a fair price - then I'd say hell yes.

That is an awesome idea.

Particularly because entering constant codes and the hassle you go through if a code doesn't work for some reason.

[Dewart]

I am also on board for the season pass idea provided there is a reasonable amount of time to opt in for the season pass.

[Pee Jae]

You just put in one code at one price (say 20 dollars) and get all dlc and future dlc automagically. Rockstar did it with L.A. Noire. Was a good deal.

[CannonO]

HallowedWarden wrote...

I was about to post that same request, Whiteshiro!

What does a "season pass" type of offer typically entail?

You usually select the pass as an option on your DLC store of choice (PSN, Live Marketplace) and for $20-$30 you have paid for all of the DLC for the game, even the unreleased. The game will keep track and allow you to download new content at no charge when it detects the pass.

[MadLaughter]

As much of a pessimist I would settle for the Season Pass idea for Mass Effect 3, if the contents were worth the price.